AI image model comparison
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs GPT-5.4 Image 2
Image quality, cost per image, and editing features compared side by side. Or skip the guesswork and generate with both.
Microsoft
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash is the lower-latency, lower-cost member of the [MAI-Image-2.6](/microsoft/mai-image-2.6) family from Microsoft AI, built for latency-sensitive, high-throughput production image generation and editing at comparable quality to the precision tier.
- Per image
- Not available
- Output / 1M
- $19
- Image Elo
- 1306
OpenAI
GPT-5.4 Image 2
[GPT-5.4](https://openrouter.ai/openai/gpt-5.4) Image 2 combines OpenAI's GPT-5.4 model with state-of-the-art image generation capabilities from GPT Image 2.
- Per image
- Not available
- Output / 1M
- $30
- Image Elo
- Not available
At a glance
Quick verdict
Which model wins on the things that matter most when you're making images.
Cheaper per image
Not available
Per-image price is not available
Better image quality
Not available
Not enough arena data
Better at editing
Not available
Only one editing score is available
Newer release
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
Released September 4, 2026
Quality
Image quality rankings
Elo ratings from Design Arena, where people vote between two anonymous images made from the same prompt. Higher is better.
Image generation
GPT-5.4 Image 2Not availableImage editing
GPT-5.4 Image 2Not availableGraphic design
GPT-5.4 Image 2Not availableLogos
GPT-5.4 Image 2Not availablePricing
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs GPT-5.4 Image 2 price per image
What each image actually costs, plus the underlying API rates. Cheaper option highlighted.
| Metric | GPT-5.4 Image 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per imageEstimated, ~1 megapixel (1024×1024) | Not available | Not available |
| Image outputPer 1M image tokens | $19 | $30 |
| Tokens per imageHow many image tokens one ~1MP image uses | Not available | Not available |
| Prompt textPer 1M input tokens | $1.75 | $8 |
What it costs in practice
Estimated totals at standard resolution.
Single image
1 image
GPT-5.4 Image 2Not availableSocial media batch
50 images
GPT-5.4 Image 2Not availableProduct catalog
1,000 images
GPT-5.4 Image 2Not availableSpecs
Inputs, outputs, and limits
What each model accepts, what it gives back, and how long your prompt can be.
| Metric | GPT-5.4 Image 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Accepts | Image, Text | File, Image, Text |
| Produces | Image | Image, Text |
| Max prompt lengthText plus reference images | 4K tokens | 272K tokens |
| Reasoning step | No | Optional |
| Release date | September 4, 2026 | April 21, 2026 |
Features
Supported features
Creative controls available for each model.
| Metric | GPT-5.4 Image 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Image editingAccepts reference or source images | Supported | Supported |
| Text alongside imagesCan explain or caption what it made | Not supported | Supported |
| Thinks before drawingPlans the image with a reasoning step | Not supported | Supported |
| Reproducible seedsSame seed, same image | Not supported | Supported |
| Temperature controlTrade consistency for variety | Supported | Not supported |
Keep exploring
More on these models
Other head-to-heads, the full model page, and the alternatives list for each model.
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Riverflow V2.5 Pro
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs MAI-Image-2.6
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Nano Banana 2
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Nano Banana Pro
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs MAI-Image-2.5
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs FLUX.2 Flex
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs FLUX.2 Pro
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Nano Banana
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Seedream 4.5
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Nano Banana 2 Lite
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs GPT Image 2
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs GPT Image 2.5 Flare
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Ming Image 0.1 Design
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Nano Banana 2.1
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Hy Image 3.5 Preview
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs GPT Image 1
GPT-5.4 Image 2View full model details- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst
- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs Nano Banana 2
- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs Seedream 4.5
- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs Nano Banana
- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs Nano Banana 2 Lite
- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs Muse Image
- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs GPT Image 2
- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs GPT Image 2.5 Flare
- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs Ming Image 0.1 Design
- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs Nano Banana 2.1
- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs Hy Image 3.5 Preview
- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs GPT-5 Image Mini
- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs GPT-5 Image
- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs GPT Image 1
- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs MAI-Image-2.6
- GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs MAI-Image-2.5
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can MAI-Image-2.6 Flash and GPT-5.4 Image 2 edit existing images?
Yes. Both accept reference images, so you can upload a photo and ask for changes like a new background, different lighting, or added text.
Can I use MAI-Image-2.6 Flash and GPT-5.4 Image 2 at the same time?
Yes. Shortcut Chat sends one prompt to multiple image models at once, so you can see MAI-Image-2.6 Flash and GPT-5.4 Image 2 results side by side and keep the one you like.
Why choose? Generate with both.
Send one prompt to MAI-Image-2.6 Flash and GPT-5.4 Image 2 at the same time. See both images side by side and keep the one you like.